A framework for incorporating circular economy in the design of energy efficient residential buildings in Nigeria

buildings to meet the energy-demand in maintaining the required conditions for thermal comfort, residents, most especially in developing-countries, are compelled to seek alternative sources of electricity due to inadequate power supply. This has resulted in the use of environmentally polluting equipment like generators to compensate for the required energy demand, thus, leading to an increase in carbon-emissions. Passive design strategies have proven to be effective in reducing energy-demand in buildings, thus reducing carbon-emissions as well as improving building performance. There is also a substantial-drop in the availability of building materials due to poor recycling culture and the use of materials from non-renewable sources. Consequently, unrecycled building wastes pose environmental hazards. Buildings are seen to be material-banks for a circular economy, therefore incorporating a circular economy into passively designed buildings will not only safely-protect the climate but also improve resource-efficiency. This study focuses on incorporating circular economy principles into passive-design strategies for energy and resource-efficient residential buildings in Nigeria. Carbon-dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere is still on the increase as buildings are responsible for a significant amount of this emission globally. It is therefore imperative that prompt measures are taken to combat the effect of global-warming and associated threats. Nigeria is rapidly growing in human-population, resources on the other hand have receded greatly, and there is an urgent need for circularity of building materials. The research offers an effective and efficient approach for the combination of passive-design and circular economy. The study is divided into two major aspects: Passive-design strategies and Circular economy. Passive-design strategies for the tropical-savannah climate of Nigeria were examined to assess the requirements for the climatic region. This involved a dynamic-energy simulation of a base case residential building-typology and a further quantitative comparison with an optimised case to reflect the values of energy-efficiency between the base-case and the optimised-case. Circular economy was also subdivided into design for disassembly, and design for reuse/recycling. Recyclable/reusable building materials were sorted using the ReSOLVE framework and the building was divided into modules using the 7S model which informed the development of a material selection-matrix for identifying and selecting reusable, recyclable and energy-efficient building materials in a circular economy. After the optimisation, it was discovered that the building energy-demand improved. The research conclusively developed the approach and framework/guide for incorporating circular economy in the design of energy and resource-efficient buildings in the tropical savannah climate of Nigeria

An assessment of residential buildings to identify strategies towards building sustainability

The aim of this study is to identify strategies for a sustainable residential building. Building sustainability can simply be described as the ease of using a building with little or no cost over a period of performance and efficiency. Sustainable Architecture is a path to elongating the dilapidating process of a structure. Architectural sustainability is still in its infancy in many countries. Therefore, there is a need to establish possible innovations and strategies in the collaborative design and construction of sustainable buildings. This research conducted a review of established sustainable strategies and recommended the most effective and efficient strategies for the tropics. Hence, this study evaluates the degree to which residential buildings adhere to sustainable design principles. Buildings were assessed based on their use of appliances, passive/bioclimatic factors, and renewable energy technologies. This was accomplished using a quantitative analysis in addition to a descriptive approach to the data gathered. In order to assess differing measures on potential sustainable techniques and technologies that can be used in residential buildings, related literature was reviewed to identify strategies towards building sustainability. The study goes on to emphasize the significance of energy balance in buildings and concludes that developers and clients are not sufficiently informed about passive design strategies, consequently a higher reliance (of 50.4%) on appliances to compensate for the inefficient residential designs

Incorporating circular economy into passive design strategies in tropical Nigeria

The natural environment is in need for an urgent rescue due to dilapidation and recession of resources. Passive design strategies have proven to be one of the effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions and to improve building performance. On the other hand, there is a huge drop in material availability due to poor recycling culture. Consequently, building waste pose environmental hazard due to unrecycled building materials from construction and deconstruction. Buildings are seen to be material banks for a circular economy, therefore incorporating circular economy into passive housing will not only safe guide the climate but also improve resource efficiency. The study focuses on incorporating a circular economy in passive design strategies for an affordable energy and resource efficient residential building in Nigeria. Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is still on the increase as buildings are responsible for a significant amount of this emission globally. Therefore, prompt measures need to be taken to combat the effect of global warming and associated threats. Nigeria is rapidly growing in human population, resources on the other hand have receded greatly, and there is an abrupt need for recycling even in the built environment. It is necessary that Nigeria responds to these challenges effectively and efficiently considering building resource and energy. Passive design strategies were assessed using simulations to obtain qualitative and quantitative data which were inferred to case studies as it relates to the Nigeria climate. Building materials were analysed using the ReSOLVE model in order to explore possible recycling phase. This provided relevant information and strategies to illustrate the possibility of circular economy in passive buildings. The study offers an alternative approach, as it is the general principle for the reworking of an economy on ecological lines in passive housing and by closing material loops in circular economy

Adaptability in energy efficient office building design

Office Buildings are expected to provide adequate support to different clerical operations considering CO2 emissions and adaptable spaces. However, most office buildings fall short of these requirements. This study aimed to promote Adaptability in energy-efficient office buildings. Hence, reducing CO2 emissions as it relates to climate change. Flexibility is a vital requirement in office operations, but most tenantable office buildings lack this, especially in fitting workspace into different work configurations. The research method was based on case studies using a descriptive method of data analysis to conduct qualitative and quantitative research in investigating patterns of adaptable office spaces considering eco-friendly energy sources for office operations. This allowed the study to evaluate the drawbacks of existing office buildings and to recommend the best strategies and flexible layouts. Studies revealed that most office buildings were not adaptable to different work settings traceable to dedicated office layouts to specific functions. The research recommended the best office arrangements/templates for effective operations, adaptability, and minimizing CO2 emissions. Consequently, office buildings should be responsive in providing flexible space and saving energy. To accomplish this development, the building must benefit from an integrated design approach that focuses on meeting a list of objectives that addresses CO2 emissions while at the same time offering users increased working satisfaction, productivity, and greater flexibility in different work conditions

Exploring passive design and circular economy strategies in tropical west Africa

Based on research findings on Passive Design and Circular Economy principles, design strategies were put together for the construction of a practical project for the demonstration of passive design and circular economy interventions in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria in collaboration with Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in The Niger Delta (PIND)/Appropriate Technology Enabled Development (ATED) Centre, Ambrose Alli University and Utimits & Mira Associates. This research and project were vested on increasing the awareness of passive design strategies and circular economy principles especially in the tropical region of West Africa as Passive design and Circular economy principles offer sustainable strategies for energy and resource-efficient buildings. The demonstration project adopted basic passive design and circularity concepts to promote energy and resource efficiency principles in West Africa. This was intended to reduce the dependency on electricity in running buildings which is currently inadequate and unstable in the region whilst potentially increasing the reusability and recyclability of building materials since there is a great recession of construction materials

Circular Economy in Buildings

This chapter is centred on waste management in buildings. It discusses the principles of applying circular economy in buildings toward resource efficiency with regard to the building sector. The study investigates a series of building assessments and reviews different aspects of energy efficiency as it relates to circular economy in buildings. It recommends the best practices to ensure the reuse and recycling of building components during and after the life of a building. The world is experiencing huge resource depletion and it is eminent to research the waste management practices in the building industry, Circular Economy offers major interventions in buildings which are explored in this chapter, another aspect of the discussion in this chapter is the design for disassembly and design for recycling under the concepts of circular economy

Incorporating circular economy into passive design strategies in tropical Nigeria

The natural environment is in need for an urgent rescue due to dilapidation and recession of resources. Passive design strategies have proven to be one of the effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions and to improve building performance. On the other hand, there is a huge drop in material availability due to poor recycling culture. Consequently, building waste pose environmental hazard due to unrecycled building materials from construction and deconstruction. Buildings are seen to be material banks for a circular economy, therefore incorporating circular economy into passive housing will not only safe guide the climate but also improve resource efficiency. The study focuses on incorporating a circular economy in passive design strategies for an affordable energy and resource efficient residential building in Nigeria. Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is still on the increase as buildings are responsible for a significant amount of this emission globally. Therefore, prompt measures need to be taken to combat the effect of global warming and associated threats. Nigeria is rapidly growing in human population, resources on the other hand have receded greatly, and there is an abrupt need for recycling even in the built environment. It is necessary that Nigeria responds to these challenges effectively and efficiently considering building resource and energy. Passive design strategies were assessed using simulations to obtain qualitative and quantitative data which were inferred to case studies as it relates to the Nigeria climate. Building materials were analysed using the ReSOLVE model in order to explore possible recycling phase. This provided relevant information and strategies to illustrate the possibility of circular economy in passive buildings. The study offers an alternative approach, as it is the general principle for the reworking of an economy on ecological lines in passive housing and by closing material loops in circular economy

Application of circular economy principles in buildings: a systematic review

The transition from linear economy into circular economy is not realizable until circular economy principles are applied into the life-cycle stages of buildings which is a proactive design approach to manage buildings from cradle to cradle. Resources are depleted without any effective programme for recovering of materials. Hence, this study was aimed at identifying suggested advancements for the application of circular economy principles in buildings. The study objectives were to systematically review/analyse proposed circular economy interventions in buildings and finally conclude on findings whilst identifying research gaps. Therefore, the study gathered related articles for review under seven identified major circular economy strategies. Results revealed that there was a progressive awareness/research on circularity in buildings although its awareness/acceptance were still at their infancy. Sixty-four articles were analysed under the identified strategies, leading to discussion of major interventions. The review revealed practical approaches to the application of circular economy in buildings, also identifying aspects that received little attention, including research-gaps. It was recommended that future research should focus on obscured areas identified for a holistic approach. Conclusions were deducted from the analysis and recommendations made based on researchers work on the susceptibility of buildings to resource efficiency in a circular economy

Implementation of circular economy using bio-based products in the indoor and outdoor environment

The study reviewed a range of durable natural materials that can be employed within interior and exterior spaces considering their feasibility with circular-economy principles. This was done through­ quantitative and qualitative method of descriptive analysis, highlighting key aspects of bio-based construction elements as it concerns replacing building components of the interior environment as well as the envelope and the exterior environment. The study also examined support facilities of exterior spaces as this contributes towards creating complementary outdoor space that supports its functionality. Thus, enhancing the socio-cultural qualities of outdoor spaces by integrating bio-based materials in the construction of support facilities. To promote this development, the study incorporated circular economy strategies to ensure bio-based products are recyclable during their use and at the end of life of the product. These approaches will not only mitigate climate change but also promote the use of bio-based products for resource efficiency with accompanying economic benefits. The construction and composition of small outdoor spaces have incorporated natural elements relevant to the local context as a way of sustaining­ the ecosystem, and facilitating the recovery of the climatic configuration, it is pertinent that the built environment embraces a regenerative system that supports the complementary development of the natural environment with bio-based elements. Keywords: Bio-based, Circular, Economy, Environment, Indoor, Outdoor